Willeigh Early Origins

The surname Willeigh was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Willeigh Spelling Variations

Willeigh Spelling Variations

The origin of rules governing the spelling of names and even words is a very recent innovation. Before that, words and names were spelled according to sound, and, therefore, often appeared under several different spelling variations in a single document. Willeigh has been spelled Wiley, Wylie, Whyley, Wyley, Wilie, Wyllie and others.

Willeigh Early History

Willeigh Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willeigh research. Another 203 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1645, 1642, 1643 and are included under the topic Early Willeigh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willeigh Early Notables (pre 1700)

Willeigh Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Willeigh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willeigh In Ireland

Willeigh In Ireland

Some of the Willeigh family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

The persecution faced in their homeland left many Scots with little to do but sail for the colonies of North America. There they found land, freedom, opportunity, and nations in the making. They fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence, or traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In both cases, they made enormous contributions to the formation of those great nations. Among them: James Wiley, his wife and two sisters, who arrived in Boston, Mass in 1766; Isaac Wiley settled in Barbados in 1663; Paul Wiley aged 78; arrived in New York in 1822 with his family.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Paul, Sir James Balfour. An Ordinary of Arms Contained in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland Second Edition. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1903. Print.

Fairbairn,. Fairbain's book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, 4th Edition 2 volumes in one. Baltimore: Heraldic Book Company, 1968. Print.

...

The Willeigh Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Willeigh Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.